It was almost dark when we arrived at the palace gate; it was pitch black outside.
The third prince clenched his fist, took a deep breath, and then relaxed it.
"Fourth Prince, I will temporarily take charge of South Street for you. I believe that once the truth comes out, Father will definitely order it to be returned to you." The eldest prince sighed, patted the fourth prince's shoulder, and comforted him.
The fourth prince was deeply moved and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty. I am extremely grateful."
The Third Prince looked away and prepared to return to his residence, but was suddenly bumped. Looking up, he saw that it was the Second Prince.
He looked down at the disregarded third prince as if he were looking at a pitiful wretch: "Oh, it's the third prince. I'm so sorry, I bumped into you by accident. Are you alright?"
He was apologizing verbally, but his tone was extremely disdainful.
"..." The Third Prince straightened up and didn't look at him much: "It's alright, Your Highness, you can go first."
The second prince chuckled and fanned himself with his hand in front of his nose: "What a shabby air, just like the North Street. Well then, I'll be going now, you take your time."
After he finished speaking, he turned and left. The eunuch following behind him sized up the Third Prince several times, his eyes filled with unspeakable mockery.
His attendant glared at him angrily and said indignantly, "Your Highness, are you just going to watch him mock you like this?"
"..." Upon hearing this, the Third Prince shook his head with a wry smile.
What could he do? He was nothing more than a pitiful wretch, unloved by his parents, unsupported by the court officials, and easily mocked even by a eunuch.
...
Emperor Yuming neither chose a concubine nor went to the inner palace today.
He sat on the dragon throne, letting the palace maids help him change his clothes. While undressing, he asked his most trusted eunuch, "Wu Chang, do you think my actions today seem a little too biased?"
Wuchang held a whisk, bowing his head with great respect.
Hearing Emperor Yuming ask him this, his expression remained unchanged. He simply replied in his hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven, a wise ruler. You have your own reasons for how you handle things, and Your Highnesses are all outstanding individuals who can understand."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuming sighed, waved his hand, and walked to the bedside to sit down: "Never mind, I hope they can understand."
...
...
The city of Beijing, which had finally cleared up, is now shrouded in dark clouds again.
Princess Zhaoyang refused to reveal Xu Zi's whereabouts, and Doctor Xu became increasingly unkempt, sometimes even failing to properly wear his hair ornament, looking extremely disheveled.
He wept several times in the palace, appealing to the people's emotions and reasoning with them, finally moving the assembled senior officials. The officials requested that Princess Zhaoyang be punished more severely, and the emperor finally hardened his heart and sent her to a royal temple for three months of quiet contemplation.
...
...
Princess Zhaoyang sat in the carriage, her eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
“Princess…” Chi Cui looked at her with concern.
Princess Zhaoyang's ears twitched slightly, but she remained silent and did not look up.
The fourth prince, afraid of missing her farewell, ran over breathlessly and stood by the carriage, panting. He didn't know what to say, so he could only call out her courtesy name: "Zhaoyang..."
Hearing the familiar voice, Princess Zhaoyang looked up at him, her eyes suddenly reddening: "Royal brother..."
Seeing her like this, the fourth prince could only sigh.
It wasn't that he didn't want to plead for his sister, but he himself was in dire straits, so how could he possibly protect her?
Shaking his head with a wry smile, the Fourth Prince said, "Zhaoyang, your brother believes you didn't hide Miss Xu. Father is just angry. He'll bring you back once he calms down."
He then handed her a sandalwood box: "Even in the temple, you must take good care of yourself. Take these travel expenses and use them first."
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